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Due to essential maintenance, the following systems will be unavailable from 3.00pm on Friday 31 March until 8.00am Monday 3 April 2023: our online council tax, business rates and housing benefit services, and our welfare assistance form. You will also not be able to register to pay council tax online, make a change of address for council tax or cancel single person discount. You are still able to make a payment during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Achieve a five star food hygiene rating


We can help you understand what you need to do to achieve and maintain a five star National Food Hygiene Rating (NFHR) score through our 'Gain or Retain 5' package.

We provide advice and guidance to:

  • catering or food retail premises in County Durham
  • start-up businesses, newly registered food businesses and existing businesses

'Gain or Retain 5' is designed for businesses eligible for a food hygiene rating, although any food business may find this product valuable.

Contact us to book, or for more information.

What we offer

Our package offers:

  • an on-site visit delivered by one of our Food Safety Officers, who will provide practical and potentially money saving advice on appropriate procedures and equipment appropriate to the size of your business
  • advice on how to achieve the highest possible National Food Hygiene Rating standards, written up as a simple and easy to understand report
  • an up-to-date Safer Food, Better Business pack and diary for new businesses or diary sheets for existing businesses
  • reassurance from a compliance perspective
  • the potential to grow your business in a sustainable way

How much it costs

The package costs £195 including VAT.

Contact us
Better Business For All
03000 261 016
Our address is:
  • Community Protection
  • Durham County Council
  • PO Box 617
  • Durham
  • County Durham
  • United Kingdom
  • DH1 9HZ
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